Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lintern (Councillor Moriarty sub). 

The Chair thanked Councillor Moriarty for being a substitute at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2^nd March 2026 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor appointed representatives on the Internal Drainage Boards are noted.

Councillor Everitt advised that he would be withdrawing from the meeting in relation to application 25/00627/FM – King’s Lynn, as the applicant was his landlord.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business under Standing Order 7.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

The following Councillor attended and addressed the Committee in relation to Standing Order 34:

Councillor B Jones                  9/2(a)               King’s Lynn

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

The Chair reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the appropriate officer.

To receive the Correspondence received since the publication of the agenda.

A copy of the correspondence received after the publication of the agenda, which had been previously circulated, was received.  A copy of the agenda would be held for public inspection with a list of background papers.

The Committee is asked to consider and determine the attached Schedules of Planning Applications submitted by the Assistant Director.

The Committee considered schedules of applications for planning permission submitted by the Assistant Director for Planning and Environment (copies of the schedules were published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules will be recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:That the applications be determined, as set out at (i) – (iii) below, where appropriate to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chair.

(i)              25/01391/FM

Docking:  Land east of Bennet Mews, south and west of Sandy Lane:  Full Planning Application:  Erection of 5 no. single storey dwellings, garages, vehicular / pedestrian access, landscaping, and associated infrastructure; together with change of use of parts of site to residential curtilages (for existing dwellings):  Vello Ltd

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The case officer reminded Members that the application had been deferred from the Planning Committee held on 2 February 2026 and then again on 2 March 2026 in order to seek further information in relation to Anglian Water’s objection relating to foul water drainage capacity at Heacham Water Recycling Centre.

It was reported that from 1 April 2026, Anglian Water would be changing their methodology for calculating capacity at their Water Recycling Centres.  This had resulted in a change in position for Heacham Water Recycling Centre.  The latest correspondence received stated that Heacham Water Recycling Centre was operating within the accepted parameters and could accommodate the flows arising from the proposed development.

Members were informed that for ease of use, amendments had been made to the March report (in bold) which also included ‘Receipt of correspondence received after publication of the agenda.

Full planning permission was sought for the erection of five single storey dwellings together with change of use of parts of the site to residential curtilages (for existing dwellings) at land adjacent to, but outside of the development boundary of Docking.

The development would see four open market dwellings and one affordable dwelling constructed.  The proposal had been amended since its original submission from 6 dwellings to 5 dwellings.  This would now result in a total of 9 dwellings using the existing private access which was the maximum allowed under NCC Highways policy.

Foul water drainage would be to the public sewer.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

Councillor Ryves and the Assistant Director debated the legal right to connect to the sewer, referencing both a KC's legal opinion and Supreme Court case law.  The Assistant Director confirmed that case law established an absolute right to connect, which overrode environmental objections.

Councillor de Winton proposed that the Committee should go to the vote and approve the application.  This was seconded by Councillor Bubb.

Following legal advice it was agreed to continue with the debate.

Councillor Ryves raised concerns about access arrangements, particularly for refuse collection and delivery vehicles, questioning whether the road layout allowed safe turning and access.  The case  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC111:

To receive an update on service performance for planning enforcement during the financial year 2025 - 2026 (April 2025 to March 2026). 

The Enforcement Team Leader introduced the report and explained that the report provided Members with an update on service performance for planning enforcement during the financial year 2025 – 2026 (April 2025 to March 2026).

The report detailed that the total number of live cases received was 568 and 557 cases had been closed with the total number of current live cases pending was 289.  The reasons for the closure had been outlined in the report.  Also, during that period 19 Notices had been served.  It was also noted that three interim injunctions had been authorised by the Court.

The report also outlined the staffing structure within the Enforcement Team.

Councillor Spikings raised concerns about fairness in enforcement when one party submits a retrospective application and another does not.  It was explained that enforcement decisions were based on expediency, compliance with local plan policies, and proportionality, as outlined in national guidance.

Councillor Blunt and others queried the meaning of 'pending consideration' and the lack of visible progress on longstanding cases; officers clarified that background work may not be reflected in the public system and offered to provide updates directly to councillors.

Committee members requested improved communication regarding enforcement case outcomes, especially when cases dropped off the list or notices were issued, with officers agreeing to explore ways to notify ward councillors and parish councils.

Officers explained the practical consequences of various enforcement notices, including enforcement, planning contravention, requisition for information, and breach of condition notices, detailing potential prosecution and council actions.

Councillors requested updates on specific cases with officers agreeing to provide follow-up information and ensure relevant Councillors were kept informed.

RESOLVED:(1)      That the report be noted.

(2)      That officers give consideration to the most efficient and effective way to keep ward councillors informed about enforcement decisions in their wards without taking up excessive officer time.

To receive the Schedule of Planning Applications determined by the Executive Director.

The Committee received the delegated report.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.